Kickstarting The American F1 Dream

It all comes down to the mighty dollar bill.

It's just a single win in GP2 by Californian Alexander Rossi, but there's every reason to feel optimistic about the quality of American talent working its way up the European open-wheel ladder.

Rossi, who helped Road & Track usher in its new era in the May issue, qualified on the front row for last Saturday's GP2 sprint race at Abu Dhabi, site of the Formula 1 race and GP2 title decider, and was promoted to P1 when the polesitter was assessed a penalty.

The immensely focused 22-year-old fell back to second at the start but eventually worked his way to the lead, stretching out a 2.1-second advantage by the end of the 31-lap feature race. Rossi's steely drive behind the wheel of the No. 15 EQ8 Caterham Racing entry was, for those who've followed his career, proof that he has what it takes to compete with the world's best at the college ball level.

Rossi's win does not, however, guarantee he'll go on a tear and win the 2014 GP2 title. It isn't an indicator that he has the talent to displace Sebastien Vettel. But it does place him in the conversation among the other F1 hopefuls, and that, for American F1 fans, is a refreshing change.

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"The Abu Dhabi weekend was a big one for U.S. racing," NBC Sports Network F1 and GP2 commentator Will Buxton told RoadandTrack.com. "Alexander Rossi's win in Saturday's GP2 race was the first for an American in the nine-year history of the championship and bookended a tough rookie season which had seen him take a podium on his debut outing.

"With no pre-season testing and pitting himself against experienced opposition, Rossi had a huge year in the F1 feeder series and was awarded 'Rookie of the year' at the end-of-season awards. It was no less than he deserved as he firmly re-announced himself as a serious contender for an F1 seat in the next few years."

Although Rossi stole the headlines among his compatriots last weekend, Indiana's Conor Daly also recorded a finish of note at Abu Dhabi, placing third in the GP3 race and securing third in the championship.

Daly, who served as RoadandTrack.com's cub reporter as he made his rookie debut at the Indy 500, is hoping to graduate to GP2 on a full-time basis next year, and like Rossi, is making a case for the Stars and Stripes in a region where very few Americans make the grade.

"It was also a huge weekend for Conor," Buxton added. "Six drivers entered the weekend with a mathematical shot at the GP3 title, with Conor being one of the drivers with the slimmest hopes of taking the crown. But his now trademark tenacity saw him amass enough points to rise to third in the championship and bring a glorious curtain down on a season which started with his being crowned MRF India champion, to earn points on his brief GP2 debut, to start the Indy 500 and to test an F1 car.

"Conor's racecraft in a GP3 car with a tire specification that made overtaking almost impossible, was outstanding in 2013. But scoring points on his GP2 debut with a brand new team was one of his standout moments. It was breathtaking."

Despite the promising performances by Rossi and Daly in 2013, it will take the emergence of new sponsors and backers to keep these American hopefuls on track in 2014. Of all the endeavors that receive support from crowd funding, an ass-kicking Kickstarter account to ensure the two continue their pursuit of F1 seems like a project that needs to commence ASAP.

"It seems sadly ironic that American drivers have had their most successful season in the history of F1's leading support categories, but both have unclear futures due to still not having the necessary funding in place to progress," Buxton declared. "Rossi should be top of any GP2 team's lists to lead their assault on the 2014 title, and Daly should now be in F1's feeder alongside him. It is no exaggeration to say that in 2013, Rossi and Daly have taken on and beaten the very best future F1 talent the world has to offer. But if someone doesn't get behind them and support the American dream, we and F1 will be denied their incredible talents."